PIA News Service - Thursday, October 20, 2011

The City of Butuan is the regional center of Caraga, serving as an administrative region of the Philippines and is a highly urbanized city.

City Mayor Ferdinand M. Amante Jr bared that the volume of waste of Butuan is estimated at 95 tons per day. The 72 percent of this waste are biodegradable.

Thus, the financial burden of waste for the city government Butuan is roughly P80 million annually. This inludes the cost of the construction of the sanitary landfill over its three-year life period, the maintenance cost and the annual operations cost of garbage collection (P.37 cents per kilo or P13 million per year).

Mr. Bong Alacala, Technical Consultant/External Resources Technical Working Group of the City Mayor’s Office also stressed that if this trend continues, the residents will be deprived of better social and economic services from the city government. Putting it in another way, the financial cost could have been translated into more health care providers and medicines, more teachers, more livelihood programs, more welfare assistance, more teachers, more seedlings and trees, etc.

When will the city attain zero waste status? No one knows. But one thing is sure - time is running out, and people need to act now!

This is the reason why Mayor Amante said it was urgent to develop a set of systematic strategies and approaches to solid waste management to spare the city from the financial cost as well as social, economic and environmental impact of waste – thus the launching and implementation of the Clean Ground, Zero Waste Program thru the ‘No Segregation, No Collection’ Policy.

Implementation of this program was based on the Republic Act No. 9003 otherwise known as the “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act” or an act providing for an ecological solid waste management program, creating the necessary institutional mechanisms and incentives, declaring certain acts prohibited and providing penalties, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes.

Mayor Amante further bared that the Clean Ground Zero Waste Program is aimed to facilitate a social transformation processes among residents to manifest the desired behavior of segregating waste at source, cleaning the surroundings and converting wastes into money, and to engage massive conversion of waste into organic fertilizers (biodegradables) by the organic fertilizer production facilities and useful materials (non-biodegradables).

“With coordination and unity among Butuanons, our dream of a Clean Ground, Zero Waste city will become reality,” Mayor Amante believes that nothing is impossible when all Butuanons will cooperate and be an advocate of this endeavor.

More investors will be coming in to Butuan, more jobs, and most importantly, a healthier life for all our children until the next generation.

Also, Ms. Ruth Jugao, City Economic Enterprise and Development Office (CEEDO) Manager and overall coordinator of the program said that there is money in garbage. She also emphasized that the general public can earn money by way of segregating the garbage.

“In Butuan, various groups, organizations producing different handicrafts out from the solid wastes are buying cellophanes, bottles, recycled papers, and empty cans. With this, the public does not only help clean the environment but also earn additional income. Wastes can also be converted to organic fertilizers,” Jugao said.

R.A 9003 (Section 48. Prohibited Acts)

Republic Act 9003 states that violators of the law will be fined and penalized, such as when (1) Littering, throwing, dumping of waste matters in public places, such as roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros or parks, and establishment, or causing or permitting the same; (2) Undertaking activities or operating, collecting or transporting equipment in violation of sanitation operation and other requirements or permits set forth in established pursuant; (3) The open burning of solid waste; (4) Causing or permitting the collection of non-segregated or unsorted wastes; (5) Squatting in open dumps and landfills; (6) Open dumping, burying of biodegradable or non-biodegradable materials in flood prone areas; (7) Unauthorized removal of recyclable material intended for collection by authorized persons, and others.

Meanwhile, there are many ways to do solid waste management. A highly recommended formula is to adopt the 5S - Sorting garbage and documents; Systematize; Sweeping; Standardize; and Self-Discipline, along with the 3Rs of Ecological Waste Management - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.

Elements and Approaches

Thru this program, the city government also highlights the awarding of Clean Seals as a behavior change strategy to households, puroks, barangay, classrooms, stall, business establishments, and others; Deployment of Eco Marshalls to barangays; Mobilization of existing community volunteers and employ CD strategies; Waste conversion to organic fertilizers (with national, regional and local policy and financial back-up).

The framework for change involves the integration of social transformation strategies with economic transformation strategies. This entails continuing community education, reinforcing and recognizing good behavior, intensifying enforcement of ordinances and mobilization of eco-marshalls and community volunteers. It also includes the establishment and operations of organic fertilizer production facilities to convert waste into organic fertilizers.

After its significant launching on Sept. 11 with a simultaneous clean-up activity in the city’s streets and barangays, the committees also conducted the following: Sept. 26 – 1st and final meeting with the Chief of Offices in each department in Butuan City Hall for the implementation of the 5S; Sept. 29 – Orientation/briefing of the Barangay Ecological Solid Waste Management (BESWM) members and eco-marshals; and Orientation and planning to community volunteers; Oct. 1-7 – Barangay level meetings to develop action plan; Oct. 8 – start of house to house education campaign including distribution of segregation guide by the BESWM, purok leaders, community volunteers, eco-marshals with a recorida.

It can be recalled that about 7-10,000 residents participated in the launching together with the government employees, academe, youth volunteers and partner stakeholders.

As of posting time, other activities are still being readied by the committees.

No doubt, this program will be sustained once the cleaning activity will become a routine and be practiced by Butuanons.

The Clean Ground, Zero Waste Program will be fully implemented on November 11, 2011 (11-11-11) which the city government believes that this day will be a big start of change for all Butuanons. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

.Feature: The Social Significance of Agusan Marsh

by David Suyao

In a forum conducted recently, Dr. Rex Linao, Chairman of Agusan Development Foundation Inc. (ADF) said that the Agusan Marsh has eight (8) features that make it important in sustaining human life.

First, the Agusan Marsh is a catch basin of waters from Davao Region, Bukidnon and Surigao del Sur. "We can just imagine the damages that the flood waters during rainy season from the above mentioned areas would bring to Agusan del Sur and Butuan City,” Dr. Linao said.

Second, it is the home of an indigenous people since the 16th century. Dr. Linao said, that during the Spanish regime, the natives stood their ground against officials who ordered them to evacuate Bunawan and Talacogon towns.

Third, is is a wild life sanctuary. "In Agusan Marsh, we can see different kinds of Heron and owls, crocodiles, eagles, tarsiers that many said can only be found in Bohol, but can also be found in Agusan Marsh, wild ducks and very small frogs considered to be endemic in Agusan del Sur only," he said.

Fourth, it is a farm or agricultural land of endemic plants. In Barangay Kaimpugan, San Francisco town, there is a peat area where bonsai plants and trees grow. There are also very rare combination of trees growing where tiga tree, a hard wood, grows with Malapapaya, a very soft wood tree species.

Fifth, Agusan Marsh is also a vast fishing ground. The main livelihood of the natives living in floating houses within Agusan Marsh is fishing. Different kinds of fishes harvested from Agusan Marsh are sold to as far as Iligan and Davao provinces. According to Dr. Linao, the reason why salt water crocodiles live in Agusan Marsh is because of the abundance of fish, and they are easier for them to catch for their food.

Sixth, it provides a great learning experience for experts and students’ alike. In Agusan Marsh, medicinal plants and nature plantation are abundant. “[T]rees growing in some parts of Agusan Marsh can be compared to a plantation. The reason is, during floods, the seeds are eroded, and while the water rushes down, they form a whirlpool, that gather the seeds in one place, and when they grow, they are of the same size and height, like that of a plantation,” Dr. Linao said.

Seventh, it is an eco-tourist destination. Inside the Agusan Marsh, rare flora and fauna are everywhere. During early morning, misty views of different colors can catch everyone’s attention.

Eighth, it is a navigation route for people living within the Agusan Marsh and the river banks. It is the main route of travel from up and down the stream. Tribes along Agusan River still use the rivers within Agusan Marsh as their way to travel from one place to another.

“These are just few features and reasons why Agusan Marsh should be given attention and be protected, because if we lose this wonder of nature, our bio-diversity will no longer be balanced,” Dr. Linao said. (PIA-Agusan del Sur)

In a four-page Personnel Management and Assistance Program narrative report on Comprehensive Personnel Management Assessment (CPMA), PIA-Caraga passed the degree of compliance set by CSC.

Meanwhile, CSC-Caraga extended their appreciation to PIA-Caraga for having substantially maintained its personal records management.

The Personnel Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Assistant Services (PMMEAS) is a continuing service to be conducted in the agency right after the conduct of the CPMA.

It is a program designed to regularly monitor and oversee performance of agencies that have undergone the CPMA, as well as to render technical assistance to government agencies, and address capability building or developmental intervention needs of agencies.

On May 14, the Personnel Management Assessment Team conducted the 3rd PMMEAS to monitor the consistency of PIA-Caraga’s personnel records management implementation. (PIA-Caraga)

.Crime incidents decrease in Butuan City

by Nora CL Molde

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA) -- The Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) here bared during the regular City Peace and Order Council meeting Wednesday that the there are less crime incidents reported this year.

BCPO representative PSupt Rolando B Cuya, Jr. cited in his report that crime incidents during the period of January 1 to September 30 this year decreased by 239 percent compared to the same period last year.

Cuya said their office has recorded a total of 1,401 crime incidents from January to September last year against 585 of the same period this year.

He added their office continues to intensify its campaign against illegal drugs, illegal possession of firearms, illegal logging, illegal gambling, and other campaign against crime.

According to him, the presence of lawless elements, who are allegedly lurking within the city were monitored and preemptive measures were undertaken to preempt their hostile plans in disturbing the peace and order situation. (PIA-Caraga)

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA) -- The Regional Search Committee, composed of different government agencies, is now preparing for the evaluation of nominees of the 2011 Search for Outstanding Volunteers.

In a roundtable discussion Wednesday at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Caraga, Venus Derequito of the search committee said the two nominees who will be validated on Monday are from Butuan City and Surigao City.

Derequito added after verification and site validation, the committee will convene and decide whether or not the nominees will qualify to be the region’s representative in the national level.

In 2003, Ruel Hipulan of Save Mindanao Movement was awarded as one of the Ten National Outstanding Volunteer Award in the Individual Category. His organization – the Save Mindanao Movement was also recognized as one of the national winners in the organization category.

Three years after, the same feat was achieved by Caraga Region as Fr. Pio Eugenio of Agusan Ecotech Foundation won in the individual category.

Meanwhile, in 2007, a Barangay Health Worker from Surigao del Norte captured the heart of the judges in the national level as Marivic Boholst from Brgy. Rizal won in the individual category.

The Search for Outstanding Volunteers aims to highlight and recognize the exemplary performance and dedication to service of Filipino volunteers in building strong communities across the country through volunteerism.

The search is open to all individuals of Filipino citizenship and Filipino volunteer organizations or local chapter organizations of foreign volunteer organizations that currently provide volunteer assistance in the Philippines. (PIA-Caraga)

.Caraga Execs conduct waste management workshop in gov't agencies

by Jennifer P. Gaitano

BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA) –- To ensure that government employees practise proper solid waste management, respective focal persons from government agencies participated in the orientation-workshop for the ‘Clean Ground, Zero Waste’Program held Wednesday at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Said Orientation Workshop was spearheaded by the Association of Caraga Executives (ACE) led by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Caraga Regional Director Atty. Rene Burdeos, who at the same time is the Vice Chairperson for the Clean Government Offices Committee.

Dir. Burdeos stressed the importance of proper solid waste management especially in the government offices, the fact public service is a public trust.

“We, in the government service should serve as model to our constituents. We are the frontliners in the government service, therefore we should set example to them in this aim to a clean ground, zero waste city,” Burdeos said.

Also, RTD Musa Saruang of DENR-Caraga emphasized that “Butuanons must work together in cleaning our city because nobody else will do it for us”. Butuanons must practice proper solid waste management.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bong Alcala, Consultant of the Butuan City Mayor's Office also bared that the 'Clean Ground, Zero Waste' Program of the city government led by Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr is a Convergence Program among government agencies, different sectors, and the community which is also called "CONCHABU" (Convergence for Change in Butuan).

The following topics were discussed by the respective focal persons: 1) Rationale of Ground Zero Waste; 2) Timetable of set activities; 3) 3Rs and Solid Waste Management; and 4) General Guidelines for the Recognition Awards for Eco-friendly Offices.

In line with this, the Clean Government Offices Committee headed by Vice Mayor Atty. Lawrence Fortun will be assessing the conformance of per agency in the implementation of the proper solid waste management on Dec. 5-15. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)

.DOH-CHD turns over birthing home facility to Surigao City LGU

by Susil D. Ragas

SURIGAO CITY, Oct. 20 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) - Center for Health and Development Caraga Regional Office turned over yesterday the Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) facility to the city government at the City Boulevard, Barangay Taft, this city.

The BEmONC is a health facility that provides maternity service on pre-natal and post-natal care, normal spontaneous delivery, and care of newborn babies.

DOH Asst. Sec. Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said this is one of the health reform agenda of the Department of Health under the Millennium Development Goals of the Aquino administration.

"Its main aim is to rapidly reduce maternal and neonatal deaths," she said.

Ubial also said the birthing home was constructed "to answer the call of our government through DOH to rapidly reduce maternal and neonatal deaths by ensuring that all women and newborns have skilled care during pregnancy. Maternal and newborn health care has long been a priority concern of DOH."

"Thus, women are encouraged to give birth in conveniently located facilities that are equipped to render basic emergency obstetric and newborn care," she added.

Meanwhile, Surigao City Mayor Ernesto Matugas is elated over the establishment of the birthing home facility as this will help decrease the maternal and infant mortality rate. He is hoping that many mothers would deliver babies in safety at this new and reliable birthing facility.

Matugas has urged and called on more partner agencies and private sector support for the sustainability of this birthing home facility. (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

“Nagatoo kitang tanan nga kung walay kalinaw, walay kalambuan, ug sa kalambuan importante nga mapreserba nato ang atong kultura (All of us believe that if there is no peace, development cannot be achieved and in development it is important that we’ll be able to preserve our culture),” said Amant during the Indigenous Peoples.

The mayor added that he felt honored that the lumads and the NCIP chose Butuan City as the place to discuss the issues and concerns of the different lumads from all over Caraga region and as well as to resolve the conflicts and problems being encountered by the lumads.

Amante hopes the said activity will settle the lumads and in turn achieve development. (MRA/PIA-Caraga)

Many tribes convened to participate and convey their requests to the government. Among the tribes are the Manobo, Higaonon, Mandaya, Banwaon and Mamanwa.

In the said activity, each tribal leader, or the Datu presented their respective political structure and voiced out their concerns.

In summary, the main issues and concerns of the indigenous peoples are as follows: fast tracking of the implementation of the mandatory representation, granting of scholarship for the IP youth, employment, more heath funds, AFP’s acceptance of their traditional defense system, housing problems, fast tracking of Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT), conflicting policies between DENR and NCIP, and external interferences.

According to Dominador M. Gomez, acting regional director of NCIP-Caraga, they will make ways to deal with the concerns of the IPs.

He said, with regards to their problem about their ancestral domain, the NCIP has made a move for the cancellation of 10 percent payment of the IPs from their one percent royalty fee that they received.

Gomez urged the lumads especially the Datu of the tribes to speak their minds, to secure the safety of their people, to protect them from opportunists and to prohibit any person violating their rights.

Moreover, due to issues concerning emerging of so called “Datu” or chieftain, Gomez made it clear to the lumads that the NCIP has no right to proclaim a certain Datu for only the lumads are the rightful people who can proclaim and select who their chieftains are. NCIP will only certify their chosen Datu. (MRA/PIA-Caraga)

.Feature: Infants inappropriately fed – FNRI-DOST

by Jund Rian A. Doringo

MANILA, October 20 (PIA) -- The latest results of the 7th National Nutrition Survey (NNS) of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) in 2008 provided evidence on the poor and deteriorating nutritional status of infants 0-23 months and children 2-5 years old in the country.

“Based on the World Health Organization/National Center for Health Statistics (WHO/NCHS) standard, the prevalence rates of underweight at 26.2 percent and stunting at 27.9 percent among the 0-5 years old are high and moderately severe, respectively, and are higher than the 2005 prevalence rate,” said Dr. Mario V. Capanza, director of the FNRI-DOST.

He also said the anemia prevalence among the youngest group of infants in 2008 at 55.7 percent remains a significant public health problem, while an improvement was noted among the older groups of infants and children.

At the regional level, Region IX had the greatest number of underweight, under height and thin 0 to 5-year-old children among the other regions.

On the other hand, Region IV-B and Region VI had the highest number of underweight and under height 6 to 10-year-old children, respectively.

“Overall, the percentage of infants 0-23 months old ever-breastfed was 89.6 percent although this proportion was same as in 2003, the percentage given colostrum declined from 91.5 percent to 89.4 percent,” Capanzana said.

Colostrum, a thick yellowish fluid, is the first milk secreted by the breasts within the first three to four days after the baby is born. Colostrum contains antibodies which make the newborn especially resistant to intestinal disorders and respiratory diseases, and has a slightly laxative effect which clears the newborn’s bowel of the dark green or black matter.

According to the WHO, the transition from exclusive breastfeeding to family foods, referred to as complementary feeding, should typically cover the period from 6 to 18-24 months of age, and is a very vulnerable period.

The survey also revealed that among the 0-5-month-old infants, only 35.9 percent were exclusively breastfed and 36.8 percent were already exposed to complementary food.

The NNS results serve as inputs to national plans and programs of the country and basis of the national and regional menu calculations, among others.

Conducted every five years by the FNRI-DOST, the NNS aims to update the official statistics on the Philippine food, nutrition and health situation.

The NNS encompasses survey components such as anthropometry, biochemical, clinical, dietary, economics, food insecurity, government health and nutrition program participation, and health.

According to the current recommendations of the WHO and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the introduction of complementary food must be at 6 months of age because starting it earlier than 6 months offers no growth advantage, displaces energy intake from breastmilk and results in greater morbidity.

Dr. Jossie Rogacion, associate professor of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, said that improving the quality of infant and young feeding practices has been shown to be a cost-effective strategy to reduce morbidity and improve child survival.

“The challenge of achieving optimal feeding for young children is often related to ignorance about feeding and food choices rather than availability of food,” Rogacion said.

In this very crucial stage of development, a parent would only want the best for the children.

It is everyone’s responsibility to take part in promoting adequate food and nutrient intake especially for infants and children.

Nutrition education and behavioral modifications should also be included in the interventions through local health providers and care-givers to achieve improvement in infant growth.

MANILA, October 20 (PIA) -- The bones move, support and protect various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals, essentially enabling the body to perform and maintain specific duties.

Weakening of the bones results to bone diseases and osteoporosis, affects the daily routine of an individual, which later leads to injuries and fractures.

Bone strength is dependent on bone density and bone quality, such that bones are most likely to deteriorate as an individual ages, making them more brittle and likely to break.

Dr. Alejandro V. Pineda Jr., secretary of the Osteoporosis Society of the Philippines Foundation, Incorporated, elaborated the risk factors of osteoporosis and bone fractures like age, sex, family history, personal history, bone structure and body weight, and menopause at the Philippine Association of Nutrition (PAN) Symposium on Managing Bone Health in Modern Lifestyle on February 9, 2011 at the Philippine Women’s University (PWU).

“There are also modifiable risk factors of osteoporosis”, Pineda said. “such as smoking which is the main cause of lifestyle-related deaths, excessive alcohol intake, sedentary living, inadequate calcium intake, caffeine, medications like steroids, excessive thyroid hormone, anti-convulsants and antacids, and some predictive factors.”

Smoking has been shown to reduce blood supply to the bones, slow the production of bone-forming cells, and impair the absorption of calcium, while excessive alcoholic beverage consumption has been shown to increase bone loss.

An estimated 8.1 million Filipinos have osteoporosis and many are unaware of the disease until fractures appear.

The good thing is that osteoporosis, as well as other bone-related diseases, are preventable.

Prevention starts with taking adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D, initiating a lifestyle change by quitting smoking and limiting alcoholic beverage intake, committing to regular load-bearing activities ideally four days a week or more, and taking care not to trip or fall to avoid injuries or fractures.

According to the Recommended Energy and Nutrient Intakes developed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST), female and male adults need 750 milligrams of calcium and 5 micrograms of vitamin D everyday.

Milk and milk products like cheese and yogurt, green leafy vegetables, anchovies, sardines andtofu are some of the readily-available good sources of calcium in the Filipino diet, while sun exposure from sunrise is the most cost-effective and convenient way of obtaining adequate amounts of vitamin D in the body.

The Nutritional Guidelines for Filipinos developed by a team of experts led by the FNRI-DOST are primary recommendations to achieve good health and proper nutrition of Filipinos.

The seventh guideline, “Consume milk, milk products and other calcium-rich foods such as small fish and dark green leafy vegetables everyday”, is fitting for reducing the risk of bone-related diseases.

Moreover, the tenth guideline, “For a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition, exercise regularly, do not smoke and avoid drinking alcohol beverages”, focuses on behavior modifications for a healthy lifestyle.

This guideline aspires to prevent high prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases like osteoporosis.